Durham County announce December Challenge Cup ticket winners as Sunderland RFC U15s

Durham County announce December Challenge Cup ticket winners as Sunderland RFC U15s

Sunderland RFC U15s have been named Durham County’s December ‘Story of the Month’ through the Newcastle 2019 European Club Rugby Finals initiative.

Sunderland RFC U15's were nominated as a team that displayed the core values rugby should represent, doing themselves, Sunderland RFC and Durham County proud.

The sportsmanship, attitude and respect that the young rugby players have demonstrated has won them, 20 free tickets to the European Challenge Cup Final at St James’ Park in May next year.

In a recent fixture Sunderland RFC U15's Boys played against Thirsk U15's Boys at Middlesbrough.

The players initial sportsmanship was demonstrated before the game had started, when they lent Thirsk 7 players so they were able to play the game with a full team.

The respect and sportsmanship continued into the game, when after the first half the score was 30-0 to Sunderland. Sunderland's players then asked if they were able to make some changes in order to even the game for the second half.

This resulted in both of Sunderland's Centres changing sides to help out their opponents.

Sunderland Chairman Paul Geehan said "This totally came from the players - great attitude and respect to their opponents".

Due to the change up, that was totally player led, the final score was 30-5 with Sunderland wing Ethan Marrs scoring a try for Thirsk.

What an amazing show of respect to their opponents!

The Challenge Cup will kick start the Newcastle 2019 European Club Rugby Finals on Friday May, 10 at 7.45pm at St James’ Park, for more information go to: http://www.newcastle2019.com/

If you would like to be considered for our next Story of the Month prize through Newcastle 2019, download the nomination form and send it into dcrfu@therfu.com by the end of each month.

By Erin Knotts